Lower altitude means it was warmer. I do not think it fell below freezing and my uncovered fingers seem to work properly unlike yesterday morning. However my left index finger sustained a good sprain in the fall yesterday so it will not close completely and hurts. Last night a windstorm raged through camp for about two hours. The whole tent was shaking violently and it was tough to sleep. Today is a short hike day of about 4 hours but it is mostly ascent so we will go pole pole (po-lay po-lay) which means slowly in Swahili. It only gets colder and harder from here but I am ready. I feel good other than my whole body being sore and tired. I can do this. It is really happening after all the preparation I should summit in two days. I am ready for the challenge. I miss home a lot. I miss Trish most of all. Her love and support in preparation for this trip are the main reasons I have gotten this far.
After breakfast we sat in camp until almost 9. Barafu camp where we are headed is the most crowded camp since it is used coming and going from the summit. It is about a 4 hour hike so the idea is that some groups summiting will break down and vacate the good spots before we arrive. If we time it right, we can fill in as they leave. We get our first view of the third peak today. I cannot remember the Swahili word, but it means jagged peak. It fits.
It is a steep angular path with many switch backs. We kept the pace slow but it was still hard. There is little or no conversation during the ascent as you must save your lungs for breathing. Baby step follows baby step and gradually we ascend. We hiked about 2300 ft of vertical ascent in 2 1/2 hours. It sounds easy, but unlike other days there was no respite of flat or descent. When we arrived the camp was not fully set but our tents were almost ready. This camp is not a large flat area like most of the others, but hundreds of small flat areas dotted with tents are scattered about the hillside. Like "clean" on this mountain "flat" is also a relative term. As I crawled into my tent I realize I am sleeping on a 25 degree incline. The other camps were not flat by any means, but this is the steepest grade yet. Even with the grade, I manage a short nap.
Lunch is served and it is a delicious African stew. It consists of beef, carrots, bananas, peas and a thick broth. It is complimented by some fresh fruit and tea. Liberate pops in after we have eaten. The small Rastafarian is all smiles. He springs a "pop quiz" on us with the dreaded O2 meter. I am 105 and 87 so he is happy since we are back above 15,000 feet. He tells us about the coming day. We are to put anything we do not need at crater camp in a separate bag to be sent down ahead of us. All extra clothes, shoes, batteries, etc. should be placed in it and brought to dinner. Tomorrow is 3 to 4 times what we did today. We are to expect 8 to 10 hours of hiking much like today. Our backpacks should contain nothing that is not for keeping us warm and dry. Roger!
Tea is served at 4 and it is about 2:30 in the afternoon. So I head back to my tent to begin the familiar shuffle of gear from one pack to another. I begin by throwing all my dirty clothes into the "downward bag" (DB). I am using a garbage bag since I have no luggage. Next I put my camp shoes. They are nice to have but not a necessity. As I go through item by item I remember how hard today was. You would be surprised what you think of as necessary when you have to carry it on your back up the side of a mountain. All electronics except my iPad and my camera go in the DB.
The duffle contains only a change in underwear, long johns (doubling as pajamas), my toiletries, two protein bars, a shirt, a parka and my sleeping bag and pad. My backpack contains my rain gear (jacket and pants), my first aid kit, one pack of moist towelettes, and the heavy mittens. I will wear everything else I am taking including my hiking poles.
My outfit I have set out for the summit is this: Moisture wicking long underwear tops and bottoms, mid layer of hiking pants and thermal shirt, a polar fleece jacket rated to very cold, glove liners and workout gloves, a balaclava, a toque, my safari hat and my great attitude. The idea of the summit is looming large. Many of the hikers passing through camp have summited. Some are happy, most seem miserable. The attitude part I think may be the most important thing I wear tomorrow.
I have a good view of the southern glacier from camp. I have drained my spare batteries into my devices in the following priorities: camera, iPad, iPhone. The spent batteries will go in the DB. I'm off to afternoon tea and popcorn.
After tea, I nap and consider the ascent tomorrow. It is supposed to be 8 hours to Stella point at 18,800 feet. We are at 15,331 at Barafu camp. At Stella point we will lunch and decide if the weather is good enough for the first summit attempt. Thomson is the only outfitter I found that offers two summit attempts.
Dinner is quiet as we contemplate our day tomorrow. The high altitude camp is cold and windy. I score 105 HR and 84 OX. I retire early with my hot water bottles.
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